title: Relationship between serum aminotransferase levels and metabolic disorders in northern China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increasing evidence suggests an association between elevated serum aminotransferase levels and metabolic disorders (metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus). However, the significance of relatively low levels of aminotransferases in relation to metabolic disorders has not been fully investigated in the general population. We investigated the association between serum aminotransferase levels and metabolic disorders using data from a survey in Jilin Province, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2007, a prospective survey was conducted throughout Jilin, China, covering both urban and rural areas. A total of 3835 people, 18-79 years old, were undergoing real-time ultrasonography, blood tests, and interviews with a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum aminotransferase levels within the normal range were associated with metabolic syndrome independent of age, occupation, cultural and educational level, income, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and alcohol intake. Compared with the lowest level (< 20 IU/L), the adjusted odds ratios for alanine aminotransferase levels of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and >50 IU/L were 1.92, 2.50, 2.97, and 3.52 in men, and 1.38, 1.54, 3.06, and 2.62 in women, respectively. Near-normal serum aminotransferase levels associated with hyperlipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes mellitus were also found in the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normal to near-normal serum aminotransferase levels are associated with metabolic disorders. Serum alanine aminotransferase levels of 21-25 IU/L for men and 17-22 IU/L for women are suggested as cut-off levels that detect metabolic disorders affecting the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatology, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yanfang
authors.forename: He
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shumei
authors.forename: Sun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jie
authors.forename: Gu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Qing
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xiangwei
authors.forename: Du
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bing
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xiaodong
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chunyan
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Siqi
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wanyu
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Junyan
authors.forename: Niu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Junqi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000208:ethnology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000410:Alanine Transaminase